Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9638545
    Abstract: In the present invention, a power monitoring unit (330) estimates the integral power consumption on the basis of an obtained actual value or amount of change of power consumption. When the estimated value for the integral power consumption as estimated by the power monitoring unit (330) reaches a prescribed amount of power, a presentation unit (204) presents a warning, on the basis of the power values obtained by a load power meter (340), indicating a list of loads for which the power consumption should be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Furukawa, Ryuta Fujisawa, Ryutaro Mayumi
  • Patent number: 9638546
    Abstract: A pressure transducer is disclosed wherein no wetted areas have been welded. A cavity is milled into the back of each of the blocks of a material which will make up the body of the transducer. Pickup coils are placed into these cavities and are held in place generally with epoxy cement. With the coils mounted within the sensor body, the surface which will be exposed to the sample or reference fluids is comprised of a single, solid material with no welding joints. Further, as the sensor block half is made of a single, solid material, fluid fitting connections may be machined directly into the body. The pickup coil placed within the improved sensor body may be wound on an open frame of nickel superalloy (NiSA). Another embodiment involves coating or encapsulating the sensing membrane within a soft, non-magnetic material protecting it from corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: WYATT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven P. Trainoff
  • Patent number: 9638547
    Abstract: A three-magnet assembly configured for use in a position sensing system is disclosed. In an example, the three-magnet assembly establishes a non-linear spatially varying magnetic field configured to be measured by a magnetic field measurement device so that resolvable measurements are spatially distributed in a non-linear fashion. The resolvable measurements are distributed to a relatively higher concentration in at least one first region along a measurement stroke and to a relatively lower concentration in at least one second region along a measurement stroke, the second region being different from the first region. In an example, the different concentrations of resolvable measurements are utilized to spatially vary the precision of a position sensor along a measurement stroke. A system and methods for correlating magnetic field measurements to expected positions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Jefferson Lackey
  • Patent number: 9638548
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to predictive output switching threshold determination systems and methods for sensors, for example magnetic field sensors. In embodiments, at least one individual switching threshold is determined predictively, rather than reactively, for each tooth or pole of a ferromagnetic tooth or pole wheel, respectively. For example, in one embodiment, the number of teeth or poles is programmed, and an optimal threshold for each tooth or pole is determined during a rotation of the wheel. The determined optimal threshold for each tooth is then used for that tooth in at least one subsequent rotation of the wheel, with calibration optionally taking place in future subsequent rotations. Thus, in embodiments, thresholds are predictive for each individual tooth or pole rather than reactive to an adjacent tooth or pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Razvan-Catalin Mialtu, Dan-Ioan-Dumitru Stoica, Heinz Untersteiner, Catalina-Petruta Juglan
  • Patent number: 9638549
    Abstract: An integrated capacitance sensing module includes a silicon substrate, a first and a second and a third interlayer dielectric layers, plural conducting layers, a shielding layer, a lower and a upper sensing electrode layers, a protective coating layer. An embedded memory and a sensing circuit are constructed in the silicon substrate. The first interlayer dielectric layer covers the silicon substrate. The plural conducting layers are formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer. The shielding layer is formed over the plural conducting layers. The second interlayer dielectric layer covers the shielding layer. The lower sensing electrode layer is formed over the second interlayer dielectric layer. The third interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the lower sensing electrode layer. The upper sensing electrode layer is formed over the third interlayer dielectric layer. The protective coating layer covers the upper sensing electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EMEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Ren Chen, Wen-Hao Lee, Hsin-Chou Liu, Ching-Sung Yang
  • Patent number: 9638550
    Abstract: System for determining relative positions comprising an encoder having encoder elements, and a sensor unit having a first sensor and at least one second sensor. The sensor unit and the encoder are movable relative to one another and their position relative to one another is determinable by the system. The first sensor and second sensor have a sensor distance with respect to one another. The sensor furthermore has a component composed of a dimensionally stable and aging-resistant material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which, in terms of absolute value, is in a range of 0 to 5·10?6K?1. The sensor distance is determinable highly precisely by the component by virtue of the component serving for the positional fixing of the sensors or by virtue of the component having a scale with the aid of which the sensor distance can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Urs Vokinger, Heinz Lippuner, Werner Amann, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 9638551
    Abstract: A pointing device includes a pointer having light guiding properties, a cap that is attached to the pointer and has light blocking properties, a pointing shaft that is vertically formed on a proximal end portion of the pointer, and a light blocking member. The light blocking member includes a cylindrical main body having both end portions for inserting the pointing shaft and a rotary shaft of a motor having light guiding properties respectively thereinto to prevent illuminating light propagating through the rotary shaft from a light source and entering the pointing shaft from leaking from an outer peripheral surface of the pointing shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Ookura
  • Patent number: 9638552
    Abstract: A module for a gas sensor module is described herein. The module can include a first portion. The first portion of the module can include a first body and at least one first micro-resonator coupling feature disposed in and traversing the first body. The first body can be configured to be disposed within a cavity of a housing of the gas sensor. The at least one first micro-resonator coupling feature can be configured to align with at least one optical device of the gas sensor when the first body is disposed within the cavity of housing of the gas sensor. The at least one first micro-resonator coupling feature can be configured to have at least one first micro-resonator disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Abhijeet Vikram Kshirsagar, Chinmaya Rajiv Dandekar, Amit Barjatya, Shalini Tripathy
  • Patent number: 9638553
    Abstract: A handset for inspecting a target object with a sensor in an inspection module is disclosed. The handset includes a housing having a grip portion adapted to be held by a person, the housing adapted to selectively mechanically engage with the inspection module, a handset interface on the housing adapted to exchange signals with the inspection module, a handset processor, a user input interface accessible to the person gripping the grip portion and adapted to provide a control signal to the handset processor, and a user output interface responsive to the handset processor to display the data transmitted by the handset processor about the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Coombs, Clark Alexander Bendall, Joshua Lynn Scott, Bobby Dale Hournbuckle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9638554
    Abstract: The strain gauge holder 1 includes a holder body 10 on a side surface of a pipe 3, a gauge pressing member 21 for pressing a strain gauge 2 against the side surface of the pipe, and a feed mechanism for giving a pressing force to the gauge pressing member. The guide grooves 12 guide the gauge pressing members. The feed mechanism feeds the gauge pressing member in the guide groove to press the strain gauge 2 against the side surface of the pipe 3. The feed mechanism includes cylindrical portion 32a, bushing 32, and feed screw 31. Each of the feed screws 31 threadedly inserted into the bushing mounted on the holder body is threadedly inserted to feed the gauge pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NUCLEAR ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Tsunemichi Takahama
  • Patent number: 9638555
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of (a) providing a flow of a flowable substance, the flow comprising bulk material and additional material; (b) determining the volume flow of the flow of the flowable substance at one or more detection points X along the flow of the flowable substance; (c) determining a signal caused by the additional material present in the flow of the flowable substance at one or more detection points Y along the flow of the flowable substance, the signal being proportional to the amount of the additional material present in the flow of the flowable substance passing the one or more detection points Y; and (d) converting the signal caused by the additional material present in the flow of the flowable substance into a signal per unit of volume of the flow of the flowable substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NV BEKAERT SA
    Inventors: Bart Vanlandeghem, Johan De Pontieu, Gerhard Vitt, Ann Lambrechts
  • Patent number: 9638556
    Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring fluid properties include an electromagnetic sensor. The electromagnetic sensor includes a coaxial probe body having a first integral pressure barrier and a second integral pressure barrier formed from coaxial-feedthrough connector. The first integral pressure barrier and the second integral pressure barrier have a desired characteristic impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Gang Xie, Guillaume Jolivet, Renke Tang, Alexander Tuborg Vilstrup, Yngve Boee, Rolf Rustad
  • Patent number: 9638557
    Abstract: A flow meter device includes: a first vibrator, a second vibrator, a control unit, a timekeeper, and an arithmetic operation unit. The arithmetic operation unit is configured to: determine whether or not a time difference between a propagation time in the forward direction and a propagation time in the reverse direction is less than a predetermined value; calculate a propagation time correction amount based on the time difference if it is determined that the time difference is less than the predetermined value; and calculate a flow rate of the fluid by using the propagation time correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Takemura, Yuji Fujii, Yasuo Koba, Aoi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9638558
    Abstract: In situ spacing-correcting heat pulse sensor for measuring sap flow or water flux includes: a holder; a temperature probe or two (sometimes there will be more than two) mounted on the holder; and a heating probe mounted on the holder; wherein two or three thermometric elements are provided axially in the same temperature probe, all the thermometric elements are connected to a data collector, a heating wire is mounted in the heating probe, and the heating wire is connected to a power supply. A measuring method thereof is also provided. In practice, by arranging at least two thermometric elements in each temperature probe, measurement errors of sap flow in plant or soil water flux caused by factors such as deflection of the temperature probe or the heating probe are reduced. Furthermore, the sensor is simple in structure, low in cost, convenient in utilization, and accurate in measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: China Agricultural University
    Inventors: Gang Liu, Minmin Wen, Robert Horton, Ruiqi Ren, BingCheng Si, Jianping Wang, Baoguo Li
  • Patent number: 9638559
    Abstract: Featured are systems and methods for measuring differential and absolute pressure of a flowing fluid/gas in a fluid system. In such a method the fluid system is configured with first and second pressure taps that are spaced from each so the second pressure tap is downstream of the first pressure tap in a direction of flow. An absolute pressure sense element and a differential pressure sense element are provided, where the absolute pressure sense element is first fluidly coupled to one of the first or second pressure tap to measure an absolute pressure representative of the flowing fluid/gas. The differential pressure sense element is second fluidly coupled to each of the first and second pressure taps so as to measure a differential pressure of the flowing fluid/gas between the first and second pressure taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Zummo, Victor Bender
  • Patent number: 9638560
    Abstract: In a gas supply device supplying many different gases to a gas use portion through many flow rate controllers, a flow rate controller calibration unit includes a build-up tank with inner volume, an inlet side on-off valve and an outlet side on-off valve V2 of the tank, and a gas pressure detector and a gas temperature detector for gas inside the tank, joined in a branched form to a gas supply line, with the valve V2 connected to vacuum. The calibration unit is used to calibrate a flow rate controller based on performing a first measurement of gas temperature and pressure inside the tank, and then building-up gas into the tank, and then performing a second measurement of gas temperature and pressure, and from respective measured values, calculating gas flow rate Q and by comparing a set gas flow rate and calculated gas flow rate Q, performing flow rate calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Nobukazu Ikeda, Yohei Sawada, Tooru Hirai, Kazuyuki Morisaki, Kouji Nishino, Ryousuke Dohi
  • Patent number: 9638561
    Abstract: A magnetic angle encoder comprising counting wheels, with columnar ring-shaped permanent magnets coaxially mounted to the counting wheels, tunneling magnetoresistive angular displacement sensors, and a digital processing circuit. In the magnetic angle encoder, the tunneling magnetoresistive angular displacement sensors are located in a region within detection planes of the permanent magnets with an axial distance and a specific radial distance from the permanent magnets. Within this specific radius range, the rotating magnetic field angle (?) of the component of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets in the detection planes varies linearly with the rotation phase angle (?) of the permanent magnets. An electronic water meter is also disclosed, and it comprises a plurality of counting units and a digital processing circuit. The counting units contain counting wheels, permanent magnets, and tunneling magnetoresistive angular displacement sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Geza Deak, Zhimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 9638562
    Abstract: A fluid measurement or control device has an outer housing with a corner portion cut out, in which an electric line connection is located and which optionally can be closed with a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Wiedemann, Jan Magnussen, Norman Neumann
  • Patent number: 9638563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) having a tubular shape, comprising a body (2) and at least two extremities (3a, 3b), wherein at least one of these extremities (3a, 3b) has a V-shape (4) and comprises an opening (5) forming an ellipse (6), and wherein the angle ? between i) the central and longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1) and ii) the tangential line (8) formed by said V-shape (4) is lower than 10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Marc Montarras
  • Patent number: 9638564
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Common Sensing Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Whalley, James White
  • Patent number: 9638565
    Abstract: A level gauge for determining the level of a liquid in a vessel includes lenticular lens assembly allowing a plurality of level indicator flags enclosed therein to be viewed from a wide angle. The indicator flags have an elongated body manufactured from a sheet of material, and form a central pocket for retaining a magnet, and pins on either end for mounting within a frame. A mounting frame positions the lens assembly whereby an open channel is formed between the lens assembly and a back plate. The mounting frame is mounted to the vessel using spacers forming an open gap between the mounting frame and vessel. The open channel and gap minimize the transfer of heat from the vessel to the level gauge. The passage of a float with a magnet on the liquid in the vessel rotates the flags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SOR INC.
    Inventors: Russell Carlson, Sara Roos
  • Patent number: 9638566
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for measuring pressurized liquid fuel level in a fuel tank used on a vehicle comprising measuring the pressure of the fuel to generate a pressure signal and measuring the temperature of the fuel to generate a temperature signal. A fuel level signal is determined from the pressure signal and the temperature signal and changes in the fuel level signal are determined over time. A first point of the fuel level signal indicating approaching emptying of the tank is identified when changes in the fuel level signal exceed a given value and the approaching emptying of the tank is signaled to an operator of the vehicle in response to identifying the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Brent J. Grothaus, Nicholas J. Stein
  • Patent number: 9638567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a guided wave radar level gauge for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, said guided wave radar level gauge i.a. comprising a probe comprising a plurality of elongate probe sections each being pivotably connected to an adjacent probe section by means of a joint, said joint allowing probe sections to pivot between an operating state where said probe sections are substantially aligned along a straight line, and a transporting state. The present invention also relates to a probe, and to a method for arranging a guided wave radar level gauge in a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventor: Hakan Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 9638568
    Abstract: A weight apparatus for a waveguide has a wave resistance. The weight apparatus includes a weight body having a fixing device. The fixing device is adapted to fix the weight body to the waveguide and has a wave resistance which is substantially adapted to the wave resistance of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventors: Juergen Haas, Christian Hoferer, Karl Griessbaum
  • Patent number: 9638569
    Abstract: A liquid level detector may comprise an arm attached to a float, a holder fixed to the arm, and a body rotatably supporting the holder. The body may comprise a first rotation regulator and a second rotation regulator. The first rotation regulator may regulate a rotation angle range of the arm to a first range. The second rotation regulator may regulate the rotation angle range of the arm to a second range. The first range and the second range may not overlap each other in a rotation direction of the arm. Each of the plurality of rotation regulators may comprise a pair of stoppers disposed separately from each other in the rotation direction of the arm. At least a part of area between the pair of stoppers of the each of the plurality of rotation regulators may be open to outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Go, Nobuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9638570
    Abstract: A calibration method for a capacitance level sensing apparatus (10) is applied for a tank measurement. A measurement signal generating circuit (102) generates a measurement signal (104) to proceed with the tank measurement. According to a measurement result measured through the measurement signal (104), a sensing circuit (108) transmits a sensing signal (110) to a control unit (112). According to the sensing signal (110), the control unit (112) determines whether the sensing signal (110) is in an effective range or not. If the sensing signal (110) is in the effective range, the control unit (112) sets a total capacitance in accordance with the sensing signal (110) as a measurement base value. If the sensing signal (110) is not in the effective range, the control unit (112) controls the measurement signal generating circuit (102) to adjust a measurement frequency of the measurement signal (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FINETEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yin-Lun Huang, Chao-Kai Cheng, Chi-Fan Liao, Yi-Liang Hou
  • Patent number: 9638571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide unit for measurement acting as a guide for measuring the micro-weight of fine grains having minute weight and volume, such as powders, granules, seeds and pills, and to a micro-weight measuring system for accurately measuring the fine grains by a preset micro-weight by using the guide unit for measurement. The present invention has an effect of being capable of measuring the micro-weight as a unit to thereby package fine grains such as powders, granules, seeds and pills by micro-weight unit. In addition, the present invention has an effect of being capable of accurately measuring the fine grains by the preset micro-weight in such a manner that in the procedure of discharging a one-unit-micro-weight of the fine grains, some of the fine grains are discharged at a smaller amount than the initially-discharged amount and are finally discharged by dropping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Young Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9638572
    Abstract: Removable luggage scale devices are disclosed herein that include: at least one measuring device, at least one gripping member coupled to the measuring device, at least one coupling unit, wherein the coupling unit couples the at least one measuring device to at least one piece of luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Jerry Moon
  • Patent number: 9638573
    Abstract: A method of estimating an in-focus level of a target in an image scanning apparatus is provided, wherein the image scanning apparatus comprises a first line scan detector configured to obtain one or more image scan lines of the target and a second line scan detector configured to obtain one or more focus scan lines of the target. The method comprises obtaining at least one image scan line of the target using the first line scan detector, each at least one image scan line being obtained at a respective focus level; obtaining at least one focus scan line of the target using the second line scan detector, each at least one focus scan line being obtained at a respective focus level; calculating at least one focus parameter using at least one focus scan line; and estimating a nominal in-focus level of the target using the calculated focus parameter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FFEI Limited
    Inventor: Martin Philip Gouch
  • Patent number: 9638574
    Abstract: There is provided a measurement apparatus of measuring signal light quality. The measurement apparatus may include: a tunable wavelength filter configured to be input signal lights having different power levels; a measure configured to measure an optical power level of light passing through the tunable wavelength filter; and a controller configured to calculate a non-linear noise component and a spontaneous emission component of a signal light based on the measured optical power levels, the optical power levels being measured at different transmission frequencies for each of the signal lights having the different power levels in response to a control of the transmission frequency of the tunable wavelength filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamauchi, Shoichiro Oda
  • Patent number: 9638575
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus and a measuring method are provided. The measuring apparatus includes an optical system to condense light, a light receiving device to receive light condensed by the optical system at a plurality of light receiving positions and convert the light into an electric signal, a plurality of optical band-pass filters arranged near a lens stop of the optical system, each of the optical band-pass filters having a different spectral transmittance, a lens array arranged between the optical system and the light receiving device, the lens array having a plurality of lenses each of which is arranged substantially in parallel with a two-dimensional surface of the light receiving device, and a correction unit to correct the electric signal for each one of the plurality of light receiving positions of the light receiving device. The measuring method is performed by the measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yamanaka, Go Maruyama, Kensuke Masuda, Sho Nagai
  • Patent number: 9638576
    Abstract: An infrared-sensor filter member includes an optical filter disposed in an opening portion of a second member and a first member. The infrared-sensor filter member includes a recess portion formed from a light-incident surface of the optical filter and the first member. At least a part of a bottom surface of the recess portion is formed by the light-incident surface and side walls of the recess portion, which are formed by the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fukunaka, Edson Gomes Camargo, Sosuke Nishida, Yuta Takagi
  • Patent number: 9638577
    Abstract: A spectrometer including: a spectral dispersion mechanism of an initial light beam; and a photodetector. The spectral dispersion mechanism includes at least three reflective diffraction gratings parallel to consecutive sides of a convex polygon, arranged such that a portion of the initial light beam is diffracted once by each diffraction grating in turn and is diffracted at least a second time by at least one of the diffraction gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventor: Jacques Luce
  • Patent number: 9638578
    Abstract: A terahertz wave detecting device includes: a substrate; a first metal layer that is disposed above the substrate; a pyroelectric layer that is disposed on the first metal layer; and a second metal layer that is disposed on the pyroelectric layer, wherein the second metal layer has a periodic structure in which a unit structure is disposed in a predetermined period, and the pyroelectric layer absorbs terahertz waves being incident on the pyroelectric layer and converts the terahertz waves into heat and converts the converted heat into an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroto Tomioka
  • Patent number: 9638579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and the corresponding system for checking the color quality of preforms (2) intended for the manufacture of containers, in particular beverage bottles, the preforms (2) being transported to a collection vessel (4) by a transport device (3), and an image of the preforms (2) being made by means of an imaging device (6) and being transmitted to a processing device for checking, in which the preforms (2) are led unsorted into the collection vessel (4) upon leaving the transport device (3), the image being made between the leaving of the transport device (3) and the collection vessel (4), and in which the image is processed by the processing device in such a way that the color quality of the preforms (2) and/or defective preforms (2) are discovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FINATEC HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Matthias Hermle, Fridolin Maibach, Beat Schlup
  • Patent number: 9638580
    Abstract: An apparatus 100 for measuring thermal radiation in one mode of the present invention is used for detecting thermal radiation of an object 12 to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
    Inventor: Kenji Ikushima
  • Patent number: 9638581
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a semiconductor substrate is formed on at least a portion of a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The emitting layer is excited for a first predetermined time period. A first luminescent intensity value of the emitting layer is determined. In response to exposing the semiconductor substrate and the emitting layer to a condition for a second predetermined time period, a second luminescent intensity value of the emitting layer is determined. A thermal profile of at least the portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate is determined utilizing the first luminescent intensity value and the second luminescent intensity value of the emitting layer. The thermal profile at least reflects information about one or more of the condition and the semiconductor substrate subsequent to exposure to the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Clore, Kendra A. Lyons, Andrew H. Norfleet, Jared P. Yanofsky
  • Patent number: 9638582
    Abstract: A terahertz wave detection device which includes an absorption portion which absorbs a terahertz wave and generates heat and a conversion portion which converts the heat generated by the absorption portion into an electric signal, wherein the absorption portion includes a dielectric layer, a plurality of metal structures which are provided on one surface of the dielectric layer and are arranged to be separated from one another by an interval having a predetermined length; and a metal layer which is provided on the other surface of the dielectric layer, and wherein the interval is shorter than a wavelength of the terahertz wave which is absorbed by the absorption portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroto Tomioka
  • Patent number: 9638583
    Abstract: A virtual temperature monitoring system in a data center communicates with servers mounted in racks to receive internal temperature data generated by internal temperature sensors of the servers. The system derives a virtual sensor measurement of external temperatures external to the server, including a portion of a cold aisle that extends proximate to a rack in which the server is mounted, based upon a relationship between the received internal temperature sensors and the external environment. Sensor data from other sensors can be received via a building management system, and building management signals to the building management system can be generated based at least partially on the virtual sensor data. The virtual sensor data can be used to generate a graphical representation of the servers that highlights relative thermal characteristics of the servers based on the virtual external sensor measurements, including heat indices, excursions beyond thresholds, historical excursion histories, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter George Ross, Adolfo Bravo Ferreira, Richard Chadwick Towner
  • Patent number: 9638584
    Abstract: A differential on-chip temperature sensor circuit can be implemented in a standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process using PNP transistors. A pair of transistors have collector currents that are sensitive to voltage, both directly and due to saturation currents. A scaling resistor connects to the emitter of one transistor and its voltage compared to the other transistor's emitter voltage by an error amplifier that generates a bias voltage to current sources that are proportional to absolute temperature since the saturation current sensitivity is subtracted out. The current is mirrored to sink current through a multiplier resistor from an output. An amplifier connected across the multiplier resistor compares a reference voltage to set the DC bias independent of temperature sensitivity. The temperature sensitivity is proportional to the ratio of the multiplier resistor and the scaling resistor, and is multiplied by a mirroring factor. A differential output is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Chun Fai Wong, Leung Ling (Alan) Pun, Kam Hung Chan, Kwok Kuen (David) Kwong
  • Patent number: 9638585
    Abstract: A sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate including a cold junction area and a hot junction area and a thermocouple including a pair of thermoelectric elements which is formed to extend linearly between the cold junction area and the hot junction area, and stacked on an upper surface of the substrate. Wherein, a stepwise portion is formed adjacent to an end portion of the thermocouple by removing a portion adjacent to an end portion of one of the pair of thermoelectric elements, and a wiring part of metal is formed in the stepwise portion so as to connect electrically the pair of thermoelectric elements each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hidenori Kato
  • Patent number: 9638586
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating earth sub-surface thermal characteristics over an area include collecting real-time weather data and earth data for a plurality of locations associated with an underground electrical cable and calculating earth thermal properties at the plurality of locations based on the real-time weather data and the measured earth data by an iterative process. The calculated earth thermal properties at two or more of the plurality of locations are interpolated to determine interpolated earth thermal properties at another location associated with the underground electrical cable and a wide-area thermal property map created from at least some of the calculated earth thermal properties and the interpolated earth thermal properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Underground Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Purnhagen, Chunchuan Xu, Paul A. Alex
  • Patent number: 9638587
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting the movement of an object, such as actuation of a key of an operating unit, includes first and second electrodes that are provided for connection or mechanical coupling to or arrangement on the object, the distance of which second electrode from the first electrode changes when the object moves. The electrodes form a first capacitor with a volume between the electrodes, the size of which changes when the object moves. An evaluation unit determines a change of capacitance between the two electrodes resulting from a change of their spacing and volume. A deformable, non-gaseous first dielectric is arranged between the electrodes and defines at least one gas volume that is filled by a gaseous second dielectric that can escape from the gas volume when the two electrodes approach one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Marquas, Michael Steinkamp, Dirk Schluter
  • Patent number: 9638588
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to obtaining at least one sample of load or load path data from at least one piezoelectric sensor associated with a structure, comparing the at least one sample of data to at least one prior sample of data obtained from the at least one sensor, and providing a status of a health of the structure based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Fanping Sun, Avinash Sarlashkar
  • Patent number: 9638589
    Abstract: A method and corresponding system are provided for determining a three-dimensional stress field of an object having a flat surface. At least four flat resistors are placed on the flat surface of the object, with at least one of the resistors having a geometry different from that of the others. A variation of resistance of the resistors is measured. The three-dimensional stress field is determined from a system of equations involving the stress field, values of variations of the measured resistive values and sensitivity parameters of the resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Fiori, Pierre Bar, Sébastien Gallois-Garreignot
  • Patent number: 9638590
    Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring clamping pressure exerted by a clamping cylinder to an electrode in an electrode slipping device which comprises an upper annular holder ring and a lower annular holder ring, each comprising at least one clamping assembly including a clamping shoe and clamping cylinder arranged in co-operation so that the clamping shoe is forced into pressure contact with the electrode and released from pressure contact with the electrode by the action of the clamping cylinder. The measuring system comprises a force sensor (30) mounted in connection with a pressing piece (22) that transmits the force created by the clamping cylinder to the clamping shoe. The force sensor can be a strain gage (30) mounted in a cavity (25) provided in the pressing piece (22) or a load cell mounted between the pressing piece (22) and the clamping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Janne Ollila, Ari Ceder, Seppo Juvonen, Tom Rönnberg
  • Patent number: 9638591
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input surface area for receiving a force applied by a user and one or more optical waveguides that include Bragg gratings. The optical waveguide or waveguides is operatively affixed to the input surface area. At least one light source is optically coupled to the optical waveguide or waveguides. At least one wavelength interrogator is coupled to the optical waveguide or waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Sam R. Sarcia
  • Patent number: 9638592
    Abstract: A differential motion sensor includes a base and a cradle. The base includes a first surface that extends along a first axis to define a length and a second axis to define a width. The base further includes at least one hinge that pivots about a rotational axis extending along the first axis. The cradle is pivotably coupled to the at least one hinge and is configured to move in the direction of the second axis when pivoting about the hinge. The differential motion sensor is configured to operate in a first mode when the cradle is aligned with the base and a second mode when the cradle is pivotably displaced with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Davies, Michael Carbone
  • Patent number: 9638593
    Abstract: A sinkhole formation detection system includes tension members associated with sensors. The tension members are arranged in a horizontal grid in an overburden, and each of the tension members is under a longitudinal tension. The sensors are each for generating outputs in response to changes in the longitudinal tension of one of the tension members in response to a vertical displacement of the overburden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GEOENGINEERS, INC.
    Inventor: Gary J. Pendergrass
  • Patent number: 9638594
    Abstract: A six-axis force sensor including a fixed part; a first movable part; a first connecting part connecting the first movable part to the fixed part in an elastically displaceable manner; a second movable part; a second connecting part connecting the second movable part to the first movable part in an elastically displaceable manner; a first detecting section detecting a displacement of the first movable part relative to the fixed part; and a second detecting section detecting a displacement of the second movable part relative to the first movable part. The six-axis force sensor enables, in a three-axis rectangular coordinate system, a detection of force components in first axis, second axis and third axis directions, and moment components about the first axis, the second axis and the third axis, of a force applied to the second movable part, with reference to detection values of the first and second detecting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuro Sakano